Q&A With Charlie Crist

Washington Wire sat down for a wide-ranging conversation with Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who is running for U.S. Senate as an independent. Crist’s comments, made last week show his past frustrations with running in the Republican primary, and how he is more open now about centrist and liberal views – except for gun rights. His skepticism about Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan comes after the National Rifle Association, a group that Crist has long cultivated, opposed her confirmation. See this WSJ story for more on Crist’s political strategy.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Here’s part of the interview, which took place at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science in Key Biscayne, Fla.:

Q: How does it feel to be an independent?

A: “It’s a lot more fun. It’s a blast. I talked to Sen. Lieberman the day before I did it back in April. He encouraged me to do it. And he said, ‘If you do it, you will find it so liberating, it’s just wonderful.’ And he was exactly right. … I feel unshackled.”

Q: Have you figured out where the middle is? The primaries in many places have moved candidates farther to the left or the right.

A: “It’s accentuated now. … You’ve got to have this radical right edge in order to try to make a difference, or a hard left bent. But I think that what the people want is common sense and to be practical and to be pragmatic in order to be successful. And that’s the way I’ve governed. … And I think where the country is is where I am. Which means, I’m a fiscal conservative. I’ve never voted for a new tax in my life, and I only signed one, and that was on cigarettes, so who cares?”

Q: What is your current view on abortion?

A: “I’m pro-life. But I vetoed that ultra-sound bill. The reason I did it is because, No.1, I thought it became mean-spirited, frankly. It would have forced women who are already in the throes of making a difficult decision, one can only imagine how difficult that must be, to shine a light on it, to get more advice from someone they probably don’t know. And in addition, there was an economic cost, or a punitive aspect to it, to have to pay for the ultrasound. I mean, in this economy, we’re going to add another burden to people who are already having a tough time? I’m pro-life personally, but I don’t feel it’s appropriate for me to thrust my personal views onto other others and not respect what women may want to do or feel they need to do.”

Q: Many would describe that as “pro-choice.”

A: “I don’t care how people describe it. They can have their fun with their definition.”

Q: But you support abortion rights, letting Roe v. Wade remain in place?

A: “Correct. Even during the (2006) governor’s race, I said I think the best way to change the debate on the issue is to change hearts rather than change the law., and I still feel that way.”

Q: What’s your assessment of President Obama?

A: “I think he’s trying hard. Genuinely, I think he’s trying hard. And I think he’s trying to reach across the aisle. And I don’t know that he’s getting a fair shake in that regard. And that disturbs me because I think that the country could have the opportunity to be moving forward more rapidly but for the political theatrics that we’re having to deal with as a precursor to these mid term elections.”

Q: If you were in the Senate now, how would you vote on the confirmation of Elena Kagan?

A: “One of the concerns I have is not with her intellect, not with her integrity, nor her demeanor, which are things that I look at in appointments to the Florida Supreme Court. But the Second Amendment issue gives me pause. The right to bear arms. If I were in the Senate today, that would be something that I would hone in on and want to become more knowledgeable about before I could give an affirmative vote.”

Q: How do you feel about the health care overhaul?

A: “I think it needs to be improved. I’m concerned about so much government control for it. But there are the same time there are good aspects to it.”

Q: Should it be repealed?

A: “I think it should be modified. It can be made better.”

Q: When the bill passed, you called for its repeal.

A: “Well, I wanted it to be changed….. People get caught up in, ‘I’m going to say it’s going to be repealed’ like they’re hammering their fist on the desk and be impressed with themselves. That’s part of the purity test.”

Q: Is that an example of something you had to do in the primary campaign as a Republican?

A: “Perhaps. And I just don’t have to do that anymore. I’m liberated to a greater degree, and I’m very happy about it.”

About Washington Wire

Washington Wire is one of the oldest standing features in American journalism. Since the Wire launched on Sept. 20, 1940, the Journal has offered readers an informal look at the capital. Now online, the Wire provides a succession of glimpses at what’s happening behind hot stories and warnings of what to watch for in the days ahead. The Wire is led by Reid J. Epstein, with contributions from the rest of the bureau. Washington Wire now also includes Think Tank, our home for outside analysis from policy and political thinkers.